A great way to compare two fractions is to cross multiply. Multiply the denominators of each fraction by the numerators of the other fraction.
Have your students place the products on top of each fraction. This lets the products act as ‘column titles.’ The larger product sits on top of the larger fraction.
Let your students play around with cross multiplication before asking them to use it as a test for equivalency. Have them use two familiar fractions to start with. Knowing the size of the fraction in advance lets your students learn about cross multiplication before they need to use it to gain information.
Say they start by comparing one-half with one-tenth. Invite them to see what happens when they swap the numbers around. Normally in multiplication the order of the factors does not change the results.
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